The
Slytherin common room was packed and a buzz of real excitement filled
the air. Almost all of the assembled students were looking forward to
what the day might bring – a chance to show off their skills for
magic and cunning, coupled with an opportunity to gain kudos amongst
their peers. The exceptions were those few students who didn't
really fit in Slytherin house quite as well as they might have done.
Those who did not come from pureblood lineages, or whose parents had
not also been Slytherins. Those unfortunate enough to be marked out
by some minor defect – a stutter perhaps, a soft streak. Even in a
community that considers itself dark and dangerous, there were those
considered not quite dangerous enough, and these students were
treated ruthlessly by their classmates.

Jana fell
firmly into this category. She was a mudblood. They were very rare
indeed in Slytherin, unheard of to the point of being freakish. To
make matters worse, she wasn't terribly good at anything involving
wands. Only a significant knack for hiding had preserved her sanity
during her three previous years at Hogwarts. The former head of
house, Professor Slughorn, had not been outright unpleasant to her.
She had a good brain, even if her magical talents were limited, and
Slughorn's oft expressed philosophy was that most people possessed
some quality worth exploiting. He had never discovered hers, but her
reliably high marks encouraged him to think she had something about
her despite her unpromising origins.

Just as
she was carefully hiding herself in the shadow of one of the long,
dark curtains, Severus Snape entered the room. His presence inspired
instant silence. Jana thought that promotion to head of house had
made him look even more haughty and aloof than usual. He gazed around
the room, his sharp eyes picking her out for a few seconds that made
her tremble helplessly. The man frightened her about as much as he
intrigued her. They had joined Hogwarts in the same year, he to teach
potions, she as a gauche and awkward student. The sorting hat had
taken one look at the inside of her mind and declared her a Slytherin
through and through, even if she hadn't managed to get herself born
that way. She never once doubted that the hat was right, even if her
fellow students questioned it continually. Jana knew what she could
do, and they didn't – secrets she rather enjoyed.

"Today
we play the Slytherin Game, an excellent tradition passed down
through this house for many years," Professor Snape announced. His
voice wasn't especially loud, but it carried to every corner of the
room.

"For
those of you who have not participated before, the rules are as
follows. One student will be selected as the quarry. That student may
take any measure they see fit to hide and protect themselves within
the buildings and grounds of Hogwarts. The quarry is granted a
fifteen minute head start. The hunters may use any means appropriate
to catch and return the quarry. Hunters may work alone, or in teams
as they prefer. There is, as you no doubt perceive, more kudos to
bringing down the quarry alone. If you are caught doing anything
untoward by another member of staff, you are disqualified, and
letters will be sent to parents. No player is permitted to mention
the game to anyone not in Slytherin, dire consequences will follow
for anyone foolhardy enough to break this rule. If the quarry remains
free until sunset, they are declared the winner. Does anyone have any
questions?"

Stiletto
Hemlock, a first year with features almost as pointed as her name,
put her hand up at once.

"Yes?"

"Sir,
are there any restrictions on what we can d to the quarry to subdue
them in order to bring them back here?"

"The
quarry must be returned alive to the common room, and any damage to
them must be temporary in nature. Anyone else?"

A hand
went up on the far side of the room. Jana couldn't see who it was.

"Are we
allowed, the hunters that it, to take out other hunters?"

"You
may use any means you see fit, within the limitation that death is
deemed an unacceptable side effect of the game. Elric Black, you have
a question?"

"What
about places normally deemed off limits, like the forbidden forest?"

"If a
player - hunter or quarry, chooses to enter an off limits area of the
school, they do so at their own risk. Let me make this clear to you.
If you get into any kind of difficulty, sustain an injury, fall foul
of other staff members or otherwise compromise yourself, no one in
this house will acknowledge any responsibility. This game does not
officially exist."

Snape
gave his remarks time to sink in before he spoke again.

"We
must pick a runner, someone with the wit and skill to stay hidden for
a while. Who will be our quarry?"

He
scanned the room slowly. Jana pressed herself against the wall, and
kept her eyes up, knowing better than to show any signs of doubt or
fear. She knew he was as likely to pick an unpopular student for his
pets to torment, as he was to choose one who might stand a chance of
out running the pack.

"Joquasta
Bifrost managed very well last year, and evaded capture until the
afternoon. We have not had a quarry winner in quite some time now I
believe. Who considers themselves ready for a challenge?"

One or
two of the older boys raised hands, and Snape nodded, acknowledging
their offer.

"Perhaps
we shall test our collective metal today, discovering who has the
intellect worthy of this house, who amongst us has the sheer
deviousness of imagination, the capacity for subterfuge and the
cunning that befits a Slytherin."

The room
was utterly silent as he spoke.

"Janet
Jones. I choose you to be our quarry for the day."

Jana felt
her face growing unbearably hot as other students looked round the
room, trying to pick her out.

"Jones,
come here."

She went,
with heavy heart, wishing she could disappear into the carpet.

"Take a
good look at Jones, and make sure you can recognise her. She may take
measures to disguise herself. Now, you will have your head start, I
suggest you commence running."

One pale
and slender hand opened the common room door in front of her. A firm
hand on her shoulder pushed her through. She heard the door click
shut. Jana lost precious moments in blind panic, not knowing which
way to run or where to hide. It wasn't the ignominy of capture that
troubled her, it was the certainty that she would be made to suffer
by whoever tracked her down. The game created a perfect opportunity
to settle old debts, punish victims of preference and generally cause
as much unpleasantness as possible. Jana was not a popular student.
She had spent the last three games hiding herself – no one much
cared where she was or what she did and participation had never
especially appealed. This year she was going to have to hide very
well indeed. She started running, at first not thinking at all about
where she went, but needing to get away.

The author would like to thank you for your continued support. Your review has been posted.